Listen to Devotion

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Hebrew 13:5-6

Contentment

Have you ever asked your students to make a list of things that they need and things that they want? Usually, you’ll get the sweet answers like they need their mommy or they need their stuffy, but every now and then a child will shout, “I need my XBOX!” Of course, we try to redirect that child and ask if they really need that to survive. You might get a chuckle when they double down and say, “Yes.”

What are some things that you would say you need? Maybe in your professional life, you would say your planner, or office supplies, or even a co-worker. In your personal life you might say coffee or downtime or your phone.

Nowadays our lists of wants and needs can sound as muddled as our students.

In our reading for today, we are reminded to “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6

Odds are you didn’t get into teaching for the money. While basketball players make millions, and lawyers and doctors have paychecks to boast about, you, teaching the littlest of littles their A,B,C’s and 1,2,3’s often use part of your paycheck to pay for needs and wants in your own classroom.

Through it all, the Lord provides.

The devil tries to mess with us when we compare ours with theirs. Our classroom against their classroom. Our budget against their budget. Our playground against their playground. Discontentment can creep in and we can forget the words read from today’s Scripture, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Drown out the lies of the devil by looking around you and seeing the blessings that he has so faithfully bestowed upon you. All of those outlet covers are because you have electricity. Praise God!

It might almost feel annoying to be grateful. Sometimes it feels better to just stay in the discontentment. Practice gratitude anyway. That’s the best way to combat the lies.

We all have wants and needs. Often, more than not, both are met abundantly. God knows what you really need. It’s Him. Find so much contentment in that, dear friends. He is all we need.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you provide our daily needs and for that we are so thankful. Forgive us when we become entitled and forget that what you provide is enough. Help us to live a life of gratitude for all of your blessings. Amen.

A Question to Consider:

Have you felt discontent lately? What are the blessings all around you right now? Pray for the Lord to help you find contentment in what He’s blessed you with.